Hugh Hefner’s items including smoking jacket, first Playboy issue and ‘viagra ring’ sold at LA auction

Items belonging to the late Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, including a typewriter he used to write copy for the first-ever issue featuring Marilyn Monroe, have been sold at auction.

The typewriter went for $162,500 (£127,330), while his personal copy of the debut 1953 magazine was snapped up for $31,250 (£24,486).

His “viagra ring” – a 14-carat gold and onyx ring concealing the little blue pill – sold for $22,400 (£17,552).

And one of his bespoke red silk smoking jackets which he was often pictured in went for $41,600 (£32,596).

During the two-day Los Angeles auction of items from his personal collection, fans paid large sums of money for a piece of the Playboy legacy, which left behind memories of a hedonistic lifestyle, multiple girlfriends and lavish parties.

Image:Hefner pictured in August, 1970

After founding Playboy 65 years ago, Hefner became an advocate of sexual liberation and freedom of expression.

Known to his friends and family as simply “Hef,” he became known for throwing big parties at the legendary mansion, which were often attended by famous celebrities.

Image:Items up for grabs at the Hugh Hefner auction. Pic: Julien’s Auctions

He died at his home, the Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, in September last year after suffering from sepsis brought on by an E. coli infection.

Image:Hefner arrives at London Airport in June 1966

Other items in the sale, organised by Julien’s Auctions, included motorcycle jackets, a limo, a coin-operated jukebox, a pool table from the Playboy Mansion and even Hefner’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

Image:Items from the tycoon’s games room were up for sale. Pic: Julien’s Auctions

Actor Jim Belushi paid $3,125 (£2,448) for a leather-bound copy of a script from an episode of classic US sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live hosted by Hefner in 1977.

Belushi’s late brother John was part of the cast.

All proceeds from the auction will go to Hefner’s foundation, which supports civil rights advocacy groups, with a special focus on freedom of speech issues – a cause dear to the publisher’s heart.

An online-only auction of memorabilia, which features a smaller section than was available at the two-day auction, will be held on 17 December.